Empowering elderly children to become social elders
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21504/sajg.v5i2.100Abstract
Older citizens of Botswana are experiencing a devaluation of their personal worth, both in the family and in society. Within a setting of generalized poverty, the elderly have a unique age-induced form of destitution - the gerontic deprivation trap. Powerlessness, isolation, vulnerability and physical weakness interlock with culture change to displace old people from society. A self-help programme to empower older persons was developed, based on tradition, culture, and the needs of improved nutrition, health care and income. Although the needs of men and women varied, the outcome of empowerment to lessen gerontic deprivation was equal. Status and worth within the household and community increased as older persons became contributing members of society.References
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Chambers, R. 1983. Rural development, putting the last first. New York: Longman.
Guillette, E. 1992. Finding the good life in the family and society: the Tswana aged of Botswana. Ph.D. thesis. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida.
Guillette, E. 1994a. Stepping away from reality: using felt-board stories to determine needs. Practicing Anthropology. 16(2): 7-10.
Guillette, E. 1994b. The rural aged of Botswana: intervention based on individual, family and social needs. In: Bruun, F., Mugabe, M. & Coombes. Y. (Eds) The situation of the elderly in Botswana. Oslo, Norway: University of Oslo. pp. 109-120.
Hitchcock, R.K. 1989. Settlement, seasonality and subsistence stress among the Tyua of Northern Botswana, In: Huss-Ashmore, R. (Ed.) Coping with seasonal constraints. PA, MASCA Research Papers, Vol. 15. Philadelphia, PA: The University Museum, University of Pennsylvania.
Ingstad, B., Bruun, F., Sandberg, E. & Tlou, S. 1991. Care for the elderly, care by the elderly: the role of elderly women in a changing Tswana society. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 1: 379-398.
Osman, S. 1983. An investigation in the conditions under which the aged live in Southern Botswana. Unpublished B.S. thesis. Gaborone: University of Botswana.
Stanford, E. & Yee, D. 1991. Gerontology and the relevance of diversity. Generations, 14(4): 5-19.
Tout, K. 1989. Ageing in developing countries. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
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1996-10-01
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